Eni and Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC), through the joint venture Mellitah Oil & Gas, have begun hydrocarbon production from the Sabratha project, an offshore infrastructure designed to support and increase gas production from the Bahr Essalam field, located about 100 kilometers off the Libyan coast.
The start of operations represents an advance for the country’s energy sector by allowing the main gas producing field to maintain its performance despite the natural pressure decline in the reservoir.
The Sabratha project increases gas production
The project incorporates a compression module weighing approximately 1,600 tons, installed on the Sabratha platform. The new unit integrates compression trains capable of achieving a total capacity of nearly 440 million standard cubic feet per day.
Thanks to this infrastructure, it will be possible to maintain production at the Bahr Essalam field under low pressure conditions and optimize the recovery of gas and condensates for the next few years.
More gas for the local market and exports
According to Eni, the new system will allow the incorporation of approximately 800 million additional cubic meters of gas per year along with the associated condensate.
This increase will contribute to the supply for domestic electricity generation, strengthening Libya’s energy security. It will also allow for the continuation of exports to Italy via the Greenstream pipeline, a key energy connection between North Africa and Europe.
A strategic project for energy development
The commissioning of the project confirms the ability of Eni, NOC and Mellitah Oil & Gas to execute highly complex offshore developments within the planned timeframes even in demanding operating environments.
The company believes that this infrastructure increases the resilience of Libya’s gas production system and promotes the sustained growth of the national energy sector.
New developments underway
In addition to the Sabratha project, Eni and its partners are advancing other strategic initiatives in the country, including the Bouri Gas Utilization project, where connection and commissioning activities continue following the installation of the gas recovery module. Simultaneously, the A&E Structures project, aimed at developing two new offshore gas fields, is progressing.
Eni has been operating in Libya since 1959 and maintains its image as the country’s main international operator. By 2025, it recorded its own production of approximately 162,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and was developing three strategic projects with a combined investment of around $10 billion.
Source: Eni
Photo: Shutterstock
